The Society for Rule of Law in Nigeria (SRLN) has condemned the withdrawal of a police orderly attached to a judge of the Rivers State High Court who recently delivered a judgment against the Nigeria Police Force, describing the move as “worrisome, unconstitutional, and a blatant abuse of power.”
In a statement issued on Friday by its Coordinator, Dr. Chima Ubeku, the group said the development raises serious concerns about judicial independence and the rule of law in Nigeria. It urged the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to immediately investigate the circumstances surrounding the withdrawal and ensure the judge’s security is restored without delay.
“The Nigeria Police Force must be reminded that its authority is derived from the people, not imposed upon them,” the statement read. “We call on the Inspector-General of Police to urgently look into this matter and reinstate the judge’s orderly to safeguard the sanctity of the judiciary.”
The SRLN also called on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the National Judicial Council (NJC), and civil society organizations to rally together in defense of judicial independence, warning that leaving judges unprotected poses a grave threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
The controversy stems from a landmark judgment delivered in the case of Commissioner of Police v. Joy Uwheraka & Ors (Suit No: PHC/1785/CR/2024), where the Rivers State High Court exposed “grave inconsistencies, abuses of process, and unlawful conduct” within the Police Force.
In the ruling, the court exonerated twelve citizens who had been wrongly charged with murder, describing the police investigation as “a gross abuse of the criminal process that offends the conscience of justice.”
The court found that police witnesses gave contradictory and fabricated testimonies, while video evidence (Exhibit P23A) clearly showed the defendants were unarmed, unaggressive, and non-violent, directly disproving police claims that they had killed a female officer with planks and stones.
“The prosecution’s witnesses contradicted themselves under cross-examination, fabricated statements, and failed to establish any credible evidence of guilt,” the judgment stated.
In a rare show of judicial candour, the court also condemned the police for “manufacturing evidence and coercing statements,” adding that justice must never be built on deceit or oppression.
All twelve defendants were discharged and acquitted, in what legal analysts have described as a victory for due process and judicial courage.
However, in a swift and controversial reaction, reports emerged that the police authorities withdrew the judge’s orderly, a move widely seen as retaliation for the unfavorable verdict.
“Such a measure, coming immediately after a decision against the police, sends a dangerous message — that judges who stand for truth and fairness may be punished,” SRLN warned.
The group said the incident represents a litmus test for Nigeria’s democracy, emphasizing that the country must choose between protecting judicial independence or allowing intimidation to undermine justice.
“This is a moment for Nigeria to decide whether it will allow fear to silence the fearless,” Dr. Ubeku declared. “The judiciary’s independence is the heartbeat of any free society. To punish a judge for doing her job is to erode the foundation of that freedom.”
